Tibetan Uprising: Activists take to the streets to commemorate 57th anniversary

Tibetan activists have taken to the streets to commemorate the 57th anniversary of a failed uprising against China's rule in Tibet.

On 10 March 1959, hundreds of thousands of Tibetans risked their lives and poured into the streets of Lhasa in protest against the presence of the People's Republic of China in Tibet. Hundreds were killed as the Chinese government interfered and stamped out the rebellion, forcing Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to flee into exile in India.

In Sydney, a Tibetan community had their heads shaved to pay tribute to 18-year-old Kalsang Wangdu and 16-year-old Dorjee Tsering, who self-imolated last week in Tibet and in India. Over 140 Tibetans have torched themselves in recent years in protest against China's rule of Tibet.

Many demonstrators held placards with photos showing Tibetan exile Janphel Yeshi, 27, engulfed in flames after he set himself on fire during a protest in New Delhi in 2012. In New Delhi, Tibetan demonstrators stood outside the Chinese embassy in protest, many were carried away by police.

There are around 134,000 Tibetans living in exile, the vast majority in India or Nepal.

Tibetans gather during the uprising against Chinese rule 10 March 1959 in front of the Potala PalaceGettyA Tibetan protester shaves the head of a woman during a rally to mark the 57th Tibetan National Uprising Day at Martin Place in SydneyPeter Parks/ AFPA Tibetan exile activist shouts slogans during a protest outside the Chinese embassy in New DelhiMoney Sharma/ AFPA Tibetan woman cries after having her head shaved during a rally to mark the 57th Tibetan National Uprising Day at Martin Place in SydneyPeter Parks/ AFPIndian policemen detain a Tibetan exile activist during a protest outside the Chinese embassy in New DelhiMoney Sharma/ AFPA man gets his head shaved as a protester holds up a banner showing Tibetan exile Janphel Yeshi, 27, engulfed in flames during a protest in New Delhi in 2012, during a rally to mark the 57th Tibetan National Uprising Day at Martin Place in SydneyPeter Parks/ AFP

There were others in the Jawalakhel Tibetan camp in Lalitpur on the outskirts of Kathmandu who did not protest, but marked the anniversary with peaceful prayers at a monastery while police stood outside. Nepal is under intense pressure from its neighbour China not to tolerate 'anti-China activities'.

A group of Tibetan exiles work in a monastery kitchen as they mark the 57th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule, at Jawalakhel Tibetan camp in Lalitpur on the outskirts of KathmanduPrakash Mathema/ AFPA Tibetan exile spins a prayer wheel at a monastery, on 57th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule at Jawalakhel Tibetan camp in Lalitpur on the outskirts of KathmanduPrakash Mathema/ AFPA Tibetan exile looks on as donated money is counted as they mark the 57th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule, at Jawalakhel Tibetan camp in Lalitpur on the outskirts of KathmanduPrakash Mathema/ AFPNepalese police keep watch on 57th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule, at Jawalakhel Tibetan camp in Lalitpur on the outskirts of KathmanduPrakash Mathema/ AFPA Tibetan man walks inside the monastery at the Tibetan Refugee camp in Lalitpur, Nepal, as Tibetans mark the anniversary of the uprising dayNavesh Chitrakar/ ReutersIndian police detain Tibetan activists during a protest held to mark the 57th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule, outside the Chinese embassy in New Delhi, IndiaCathal McNaughton/ ReutersA Tibetan activist attends a protest held to mark the 57th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule, in New Delhi, IndiaCathal McNaughton/ ReutersIndian police detain a Tibetan activist during a protest held to mark the 57th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule, outside the Chinese embassy in New Delhi, IndiaCathal McNaughton/ ReutersA Tibetan activist attends a protest held to mark the 57th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule, in New Delhi, IndiaCathal McNaughton/ Reuters